Change Comes As Commission Is To Decide On The Original Land Proposal

The change comes as Suffolk's Planning Commission is to decide on the original proposal for land between Driver Lane and Bennetts Pasture Road.

While full details were not available Friday, planning director Scott Mills said Snug Harbor plans to reduce the number of lots in the proposal. City planners have not yet received a revised plan, but have gotten a letter saying the developer wants to amend the plan.

Cluster housing is a new subdivision use under the city's year-old growth ordinance. With cluster housing, a developer can build houses closer together and on smaller lots than in a traditional subdivision. Under the rules, the developer must set aside 45 percent of the land for open space. The developer said the proposed subdivision would complement the style of homes already in Driver.

If the planning commission wants to consider the amended request, Mills said he will suggest that commissioners put the revised plan on December's agenda and schedule a public hearing for that meeting.

Originally, the developer wanted to build 54 cluster homes on 6 acres. Under that proposal, lot sizes would range between 4,000 to 6,500 square feet. The proposal requires a conditional-use permit.

While the city's growth-control ordinance allows cluster housing, residents say the proposal is out of character for their community.

"Our main concern is the style of housing and density," said Fred Andy.

Driver is a village known for quaint shops and homes near the crossroads of Kings Highway and Driver Lane. The established subdivisions that surround the proposed development have lots that are at least 15,000 square feet. Residents say they don't have a problem with that kind of housing.

Regina Lightfoot can be reached at 247-4627 or by e-mail at rlightfoot@dailypress.com